Ange Postecoglou brilliantly details how being Celtic manager was his destiny

By Lewis Laird

June 22, 2022

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has described being boss at Parkhead as a position that he was destined to have at some point during his managerial career.

The 56-year-old arrived at the club last summer and faced the task of rebuilding almost the entire playing squad after a disastrous campaign the season previous. Despite many doubters suggesting that the role would be too much for him, the former Socceroos boss went on to lift a league and cup double in his first season in the dugout at Celtic Park.

Not only did Ange create a team that supporters love to watch, but he also created a special bond with the fan base over the past 12 months. On several occasions, the Celtic manager has spoken about his great fondness for the Hoops supporters and how they follow their team.

And speaking on Luke Darcy’s Empowering Leaders podcast, Ange said [30.45- 34.13]: “It is unique. Growing up in Australia, we really are passionate about our sport, and I was lucky that my dad ended up choosing Australia as our destination. I grew up in a sport-loving nation. It was so much a part of my upbringing as a kid, and so many of my values are entwined with sport.

“But, Celtic in Glasgow, it goes beyond that because for the people who love that football club, they are not supporters, they’re not fans. It’s not for them that they look forward to a game. For them, it’s part of their life. It’s as much a part of their life; it’s an extended family member, and I’m not talking about a distant family member. This is a family member that they bring into their household, sits at the dinner table with them. It organises their year, their significant moments.

“All that sort of encompassed. It is probably one of the most high-profile, pressurised positions in terms of a football club. The flip side of that is, I love it. That’s what I’ve always wanted, and my frustrations with Australia and Australian Soccer has always been that it wasn’t the people who loved the game or who hated the game. It was the apathy that landed in between, which was the biggest part of it. Most people just didn’t care.

“Even when people had a crack at soccer in Australia, I didn’t mind that. Okay, that is somebody being passionate about it. So now, to be right, smack bang in the centre of it; it’s almost like this is where I was supposed to end up at some point in my career.”

Ange Postecoglou and Celtic really is a match made for one another.

Ever since he arrived in Glasgow last summer, there has been such a special feeling surrounding Postecoglou.

Everything just seemed to fall right into place for both the club and Ange regarding his appointment, and looking back at that now it now almost feels like it really was meant to be.

From his first press conference to his last this season, you could just tell right from the off that Ange knows what it means to be the manager of Celtic.

That is also the reason that the bond between himself and the support has grown so strong, with fans loving what Postecoglou brings to the club.

Hopefully, we can continue to see that strong relationship between the fans, Ange and his players continue to grow going into next season, with Celtic achieving even more success.

In other news, Ben Siegrist addresses Joe Hart competition at Celtic; namechecks behind-the-scenes coach.